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As we approach the end of 2019, I\u2019m pleased to offer this brief update on college initiatives and activities of interest to our community.<\/p>\n
Enrollment Update<\/strong><\/p>\n First, I\u2019d like to thank you all for working to encourage spring enrollment during the fall semester. I do believe that these efforts have made a positive difference. Unfortunately, our latest enrollment report shows that we are 510 full-time equivalent (FTE) students behind our numbers for last year at this time. The college has budgeted to be down 153 FTE, so there is a significant amount of ground to make up. I believe we can bridge that gap with ongoing and proactive efforts to connect with students already in our enrollment pipeline while continuing to recruit and support new students.<\/p>\n See, the great majority of the spring enrollment decline is among our returning student population. As a result, I am asking everyone to continue to focus on meaningful outreach efforts that ensure students are advised and scheduled as early as possible. With fall classes now concluded and less than one month until the start of classes on Jan. 21, this final push will be crucial. Once again, thank you all for your hard work and ongoing commitment!<\/p>\n I\u2019m pleased to share that efforts to boost enrollment in intersession classes beginning on Jan. 2, spring semester Saturday and sunrise classes, as well as courses at off-campus locations are paying off, with more than 860 seats scheduled in these areas. This is a nearly 30% increase over last year, which is excellent! Thank you for your work in this area, and please continue to promote these convenient options if they are appropriate for your students.<\/p>\n Acting on Academic Senate recommendations that would make it easier for students to earn credit and complete degrees at the college, the Board of Trustees reviewed and approved several policies<\/a> at its Dec. 19 meeting. These include updates that:<\/p>\n The Dec. 16 NPR article \u201cFewer Students Are Going to College. Here’s Why That Matters\u201d<\/a> highlights some of the challenges that colleges across the nation are facing, and offers some considerations for why enrollment is dropping and what colleges can do to stay on track. It\u2019s a reminder that these challenges are not unique to Hudson Valley, and that there are ways we can work to mitigate the impact of downward enrollment trends as we look toward the future.<\/p>\n Admissions and Outreach Events<\/strong><\/p>\n As we continue to discuss enrollment strategies, I\u2019d like to recognize the importance of community outreach and on-campus events to promote the college and make our community more aware of all we have to offer. Two events in December were particularly successful examples of this type of outreach.<\/p>\n First, more than 60 area high school guidance counselors attended the Admission Office\u2019s Guidance Counselor Breakfast, where they visited with various academic department faculty members and were offered tours of the campus. Attendance at the event was one of the largest in recent memory. In addition, the college hosted a roundtable discussion for community leaders who work with immigrant and refugee populations to assess how Hudson Valley and the EOC can help their organizations to advance English as a Second Language\/English for Speakers of Other Languages education. My thanks to everyone involved in making both of these events so successful!<\/p>\n I\u2019d also like to share that the Admissions office will be introducing live webinar virtual information sessions<\/a> and online tours for prospective students and families who aren\u2019t able to attend an on-campus information session. Just like an on-campus session, these online events will offer the opportunity for prospective students to learn about the college and specific programs, talk directly with an Admissions representative, view our presentation and engage in a question and answer period. Select dates are available between late December and early May, and additional information can be found on the college website.<\/p>\n As always, if you have any ideas on new initiatives to boost enrollment, please let me know!<\/p>\n Budget Update<\/strong><\/p>\n This month, the SUNY Board approved its state operating budget request for 2020-21. The proposal for community colleges is a funding \u201cfloor\u201d of either 100% of most recent funding levels or an increase of $100 in the per student funding of $2,947 provided in 2019\/20, whichever is greater. This proposal will help us begin negotiations that will continue as the State Budget is introduced early in the new year. As you may be aware, the state budget is facing a significant funding gap for 2020-21, so we will remain active in our advocacy efforts and keep the campus community posted on our progress.<\/p>\n On a positive note, the SUNY budget includes funding for the $4 million capital project for the Facilities Master Plan Implementation–Phase I, which has been approved by the Board and the Rensselaer County legislature. JMZ, our master planning consultant, will provide its preliminary proposals to share with the campus community early in the spring semester.<\/p>\n Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n I am pleased to report that two new deans and one new associate dean have been approved. Dr. Jonathan Ashdown is now the permanent Dean of STEM, and Dr. Patricia Klimkewicz is the Dean of Health Sciences, while Deborah Shoemaker is promoted to the Associate Dean of Community and Education Partnerships, reporting to Penny Hill, dean for Economic Development and Workforce Initiatives.<\/p>\n New Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the last month or so, the college has developed several new initiatives to support our students and workforce partners, which I am happy to share updates on.<\/p>\n As you are aware, concerns about cost, time to complete, and childcare can create very real hurdles for students trying to manage busy lives and juggle responsibilities while pursuing their education. By implementing programs and providing resources like this, it is my hope that we can continue to offer students the support they need to stay on track and reach their goals.<\/p>\n Diversity, Equity and Inclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n As you know, one of the six core priorities of our Strategic Plan is \u201cCommit to Student Success, Inclusion and Equity.\u201d With that in mind, I\u2019d like to highlight some upcoming events that focus on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at our college:<\/p>\n\n
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